How to change the ringtone on Xiaomi phone: 5 ways + mistake-making

Are you tired of the standard ringtone on your Xiaomi and want to install a unique tune that will make your smartphone stand out among others? In this article, we will analyze all possible methods of changing the ringtone on Xiaomi, Redmi and other devices. POCO — From basic settings to hidden functions MIUI.

It may seem simple, but many users have difficulties: somewhere you don't see downloaded tunes, somewhere the system resets after updating, and sometimes you can't use your favorite track at all. We'll not only show you how to change the ringtone through standard settings, but also reveal the secrets of working with files, explain why some formats are not played, and give you tips on how to optimize the sound. And if you encounter an error "File is not supported" - we have a solution!

The article is relevant for all versions MIUI 12, 13 and 14, including recent updates 2026 Instructions checked on Xiaomi models 13/14, Redmi Note 12/13, POCO F5/X5, But it's also good for older devices (assuming you have the current firmware). 2019 Note the section on the limitations of older versions. MIUI.

1. Standard way: change the melody through the Xiaomi settings

The most obvious and safe method is to use built-in tools. MIUI. This method does not require superuser (root) rights and works on all Xiaomi devices without exception. Even if you have never changed the audio settings before, follow the step-by-step instructions:

Open the Settings app (the gear icon on the home screen) and go to the Sound and Vibration section, where you need to find the Melody of the Call item, which is usually located at the top of the menu. MIUI 14, the path might look like this: Settings → Sound and vibration → The melody of the call and notifications → The ringing melody.

• 📱 The screen will display a list of standard tunes, sorted by category: Default, Classic, Natural Sounds, and more. Listen to any option by clicking on it.
• 🔍 If you want to use your tune, tap the button. + Add (or Local Melodies in older versions) The system will redirect you to the File Manager.
• 🎵 Select an audio file from the device's memory: MIUI format-support MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG, The length of the track should not exceed 30 seconds (otherwise it will be cut automatically).
• ✅ After selecting the file, click Ready or Apply. Now your tune will appear in the list of available ringtones.

If the buttons + Add no, that means your version. MIUI It limits the addition of custom tunes, so in this case, go to the manual installation section.

⚠️ Note: On some models POCO (for example, POCO X3 Pro) after selecting a custom tune, the sound may be distorted, and this is due to the optimization of the sound in the firmware, the solution is to convert the file to a format. M4A 128 kbit/s bitrate.

MP3/M4A/WAV/OGG format

Duration ≤ 30 seconds

Bitreit ≤ 192 kbps

The file is located in the Ringtones or Notifications folder.

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2.Where to store the ringtones of the call on Xiaomi: folder structure

So that your custom melody is displayed in the settings MIUI, It needs to be placed in the right folder. It only scans certain directories, and if the file is in Downloads or on a memory card, it may not appear in the list:

To create a folder Ringtones:

1. Open the File Manager (or any other file manager, such as Solid Explorer).
2. Go to the root directory of internal memory: /storage/emulated/0/.
3. Click Create a folder and call it Ringtones (registration is important!).
4. Put audio files in it. When you reboot, they'll appear in the call settings.

If the folder already exists, but the tunes are not displayed, check:

• 🔄 Restart the device (sometimes) MIUI cache).
• 📂 Make sure that files are not hidden (name does not start with a dot, for example.my_ringtone.mp3).
• 🎧 Check the format: MIUI Can ignore files with bitrates above 320 kbit/s.

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If you downloaded a tune from the Internet, but it is not played, try transcoding it through the online service Audio-Online-Convert. M4A 128 kbps bitrate for better compatibility.

3. How to set a custom tune if the standard method does not work

On some firmware MIUI (particularly POCO and Redmi with global ROM) There may be no user tune button, and there are workarounds:

Method 1: Use a third-party application

Apps like Ringtone Maker or Zedge can get around the limitations of the system, not only adding tunes to the ringtones list, but also cutting tracks to the right length.

1. Install Zedge from Google Play.
2. Choose your favorite tune in the Ringtones category.
3. Click Set as ringtone – the application automatically copies the file to the desired folder.

Method 2: Manual copying through ADB

For advanced users: if you have access to ADB (Android Debug Bridge, you can manually copy a file to the system folder. This works even without root rights:

adb push /path/to/your/ringtone.mp3 /sdcard/Ringtones/


adb shell media scan

Then the melody will appear in the settings. If the Ringtones folder is not available, create it in advance.

Method 3: Replace the standard melody (requires root)

If you have root access, you can replace the standard ringtones with your files.

1. Download Root Explorer or Mixplorer with superuser rights.
2. Go to /system/media/audio/ringtones/.
3. Copy your file into this folder (for example, my_ringtone.mp3).
4. Change the file permission to 644 (r-w r--- r---).
5. Reset the device.

⚠️ Warning: Replacing system files without backup can cause crashes.Before action, make a backup folder /system/media/audio/ through TWRP Or Orange Backup.

Standard MIUI.

Castomy (my music)

Melodies from Apps (Zedge, Ringtone Maker)

No sound (vibration)

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4 Why My Melody Doesn't Play: Common Mistakes

You downloaded the file, put it in the correct folder, but MIUI Is he stubbornly ignoring it? Here are the most common causes and solutions:

• 🚫 Unsupported format: MIUI officially MP3, M4A, WAV, OGG. Files. FLAC, AAC or WMA Solution: Convert the file through Audacity or online services.
• ⏱️ Too long track: Maximum ringtone duration is 30 seconds. If the file is longer, the system will cut it to the first 30 seconds (sometimes this causes a sound break in the middle of a word).Solution: trim the track in advance in Ringtone Maker.
• 📁 Incorrect location: The file must be in /Ringtones/, /Notifications/ or /Alarms/. If the folder is created on a memory card (/sdcard/external_sd/...), MIUI Maybe she won't see her.
• 🔇 Cache error: After adding new files, you sometimes need to clear the Settings or Media Store app cache. → Annexes → Application management → Settings (or Media Storage) → Warehouse → Clear the cache.
• 🔊 Codec problems: On some devices (e.g. Redmi) 9A) There's no support for certain audio codecs. Solution: use the format. M4A coded AAC.

If none of these methods worked, try the following:

1. Move the file from the internal memory to the memory card (or vice versa) and back again.
2. Rename the file to Latin (without Cyrillic and characters, for example) ringtone1.mp3 instead of my tune.mp3).
3. Check the file on another device, it may be corrupted.

5 How to assign unique tunes to different contacts

V MIUI You can customize your ringtones for individual contacts, and that's convenient if you want to know who's calling without looking at the screen:

1. Open the Contacts app (or Phone → Contacts tab).
2. Find the right contact and tap it to open the card.
3. Click Edit (pencil icon in upper right corner).
4. Scroll down to the Melody of the Call (or Notification Sound).
5. Select a standard tune or click Add to download yours.
6. Save the changes.

If the item Melody of the call is missing:

• 📞 Make sure that the contact is saved in the phone book, not on the phone. SIM-card (for SIM-Contacts individual settings are not available).
• 🔄 Update the Contacts app via Google Play.
• 📱 On some firmware (POCO Launcher) this feature is hidden. Try changing the launcher to the standard one. MIUI.

For mass-purpose tunes (e.g., one tune for the entire contact group), use the Contact Ringtones app from Google Play.

• 🎶 Assign ringtones to groups (e.g., "Family", "Work").
• 🔕 Establish a quiet mode for individual contacts.
• 📱 Sync settings between devices via Google Account.

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Individual tunes only work for incoming calls. SMS and notifications from messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram) settings will have to configuring separately in each application.

6.Sound optimization: how to make the ringtone louder

If you think the ringtone on Xiaomi is too quiet, even at maximum volume, the problem may lie in the audio profile settings or limitations. MIUI. Here's how to turn up the volume:

Set up a uniform sound (Equalizer)

V MIUI There is a hidden equalizer that can be activated:

1. Go to Settings → Sound and vibration → Sound quality.
2. Turn on the Equator and select Preset Rock or Pop – they amplify the high and medium frequencies, making the ringtone more noticeable.
3. If there is no equalizer, install Wavelet from Google Play (root required for full functionality).

Turning off volume limits

MIUI The default limit is the maximum volume to protect the speakers:

1. Activate the developer mode (7 taps according to the MIUI version in About Phone).
2. Go to Settings → Additional → For developers.
3. Find the item Turn off absolute volume and activate it.
4. Also, turn on the Media Amplifier (if any).

Testing of speakers

If even after settings the sound remains quiet, it may be a problem in the hardware:

• 🔊 Test the speaker on conversational mode - if the interlocutor is poorly audible, perhaps the speaker grid is clogged.
• 🛠️ Clean the speaker hole with a soft brush (do not use sharp objects!).
• 📱 Check if Do Not Disturb or Quiet mode is activated in the notification curtain.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi models with stereo speakers (e.g. Xiaomi 13 Pro), the ringtone can only be played through the bottom speaker. This is not a malfunction, but a feature of the firmware. To make sound go through both speakers, you need a modified firmware (e.g. xiaomi.eu).

7. Alternative methods: applications for sound control

If standard methods don't suit you, consider third-party apps that offer advanced features such as:

• 🎛️ Dynamic change of ringtones (different tunes depending on the time of day).
• 🔊 Increased volume above system constraints.
• 🎵 Playlists for ringtones (random playback from several tracks).

Top.-3 apps:

If you prefer minimalist solutions, try Simple Ringtone Maker.

• 🎧 Cut a fragment from any song.
• 🔊 Setting up the volume smoothly (fade-in).
• 📁 Save the result directly to the Ringtones folder.

For users who want complete control of sound, Tasker is a good tool to use to create tasks like:

• 🔄 Changes the ringtone depending on the location (e.g. vibration at work, loud melody at home).
• 📅 Setting up a quiet night schedule, except for selected contacts.

FAQ: Frequent questions about changing the ringtone to Xiaomi